Boomerang Barb

About

Found in the slow-moving, acidic blackwaters of southern Borneo, Desmopuntius foerschi is a small cyprinid that goes by the trade names boomerang barb and Foersch's fire barb. It belongs to the genus Desmopuntius, which was separated out from the old catch-all Puntius genus in 2013, and can be distinguished from its closest relatives by extra dark blotches between the second, third, and fourth vertical bars, plus a marking at the rear base of the dorsal fin. At under two and a half inches fully grown, it is a compact, peaceful fish that fits well into a carefully chosen community of similarly sized Southeast Asian species. Think small cyprinids, loaches, or anabantoids that won't outcompete it at feeding time. Like most schooling barbs, it really comes into its own in larger groups. Aim for at least eight to ten individuals; a well-numbered group will be noticeably bolder and less skittish, and the males will really show off their coloration as they posture and display for females. A planted setup with plenty of cover suits it nicely, and its tolerance for shrimp and snails makes it a practical choice for community tanks. Reflecting its blackwater origins, it appreciates soft, acidic water, so it is best suited to a keeper who can maintain those conditions consistently.